Psychogenic Headache

Psychogenic headache is produced or caused by mental or emotional factors like stress or psychosis. The term “psychogenic headache” has been used to mean many different things, with the leading definition for psychogenic headache being “tension headache” followed by a headache with “no organic basis.” It has been suggested that the term should be limited to people where headache is the main or most prominent symptom of a psychiatric disorder.

Psychogenic headaches usually includes one or more of the following 7 symptoms:

Headaches lasting from 30 minutes to 7 days

Pressing/tightening (nonpulsating) quality

Mild or moderate intensity (may inhibit but does not prohibit activities)

Bilateral location

No nausea or vomiting

Photophobia and phonophobia absent or only one present

No aggravation from climbing stairs or similar routine physical activity